Four years ago, I received a brochure in the mail for a place called Harlaxton College. Located in England, the giant castle on the front of the pamphlet appealed to me. I showed it to my mom and said, "I'm going to go here." Of course she responded with, "In your dreams." However, those dreams have now become a reality, because in less than three weeks, I leave on a plane to spend a semester studying abroad in England.
Telling people you're about to live in Europe for four months doesn't come without a few questions...
1. Whom are you going with?
No one. I'll be taking a group flight to London, but I won't know anybody on it.
2. Aren't you afraid to go by yourself?
No. My mom raised me to be independent. I enjoy spending time on my own, and I've never been afraid to venture out by myself. I was never the girl that had to go to the bathroom in a pack or was afraid to be seen at the mall with no one but herself. In fact, I'm more excited to take on this adventure alone.
3. Won't you miss your friends and family?
Of course, but thankfully technology allows us to communicate easily. It will be hard being away from them all for four months, no doubt, but all of the fun I'm going to be having will distract me. I don't need to be with someone every day to remain friends.
4. Aren't you scared with all of the recent terrorist attacks in Europe?
Sure, the idea worries me, but I'm not going to let fear stop me from the adventure of a lifetime. As morbid as it sounds, if something happens to me, then it happens. To be honest, I feel just as at risk here in the U.S. as I do abroad.
5. Isn't that expensive?
Yes. However, I am lucky enough to have earned a full tuition scholarship to Bethany College that will transfer over to my tuition at Harlaxton. I've also worked all summer to save up money. This is a once in a lifetime experience. Once I graduate, there is likely zero chance of me getting to spend this much time abroad for this little. It's worth it.
6. How do you pack for four months abroad?
Honestly, I'm still working on this one. I'm guessing I'll be doing a lot of prioritizing when it comes to looking through my closet.
7. You must be crazy.
Not actually a question, but it's still a common response when I tell someone I'm studying abroad. Maybe I am crazy, I don't know. I'm at a point in my life where I need exploration. I need to know what else is out there. So, I don't know if I'm crazy, all I know is that there is an adventure waiting for me out there and I am finally ready to take it.
